Building block laying devices



Jan. 7, 1958 D. JOSEPH.

BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1953 5 H w P u M IJ D w A DWW B D. JOSEPH BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICES Jam 7,1958

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22. 1953 w INVEN TOR.

DA V/D J O55 PH Jan. 7, 1958 D.'JOSEP H 2,818,725

BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICES Filed Oct. 22, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a N V A ,INVENTOR, P Josep I Arrozy United States Patent BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICES Davidloseph, Paterson, N. J.

Application October 22, 1953, Serial No. 387,579

9 Claims. (Cl. 72-129) This invention relates .to improvements in laying devices for buildingblocks, bricks, slabs, or the like.

,It is an object .of the instant-invention to disclose devices that-will facilitate the construction of-walls with building blocks or the like.

A further object-is-to disclose-devices for'the more perfect-construction of walls with building blocks,-br;icks, and. slabs than I heretofore possible.

Other objects of the-instantinvention will become apparent inthe coursecf thefollowing specifications.

1n the attainment of the aforesaid objectives, subject building. block laying device-is constituted of a block placement device, a-cement. dispenser forinserti-ng cement between the ends'ofthe-blocks when-placed in proper positiononthe-wall by the-block placement device, an

.elevator for the vertical reciprocable movement of the block placement device and cement dispenser both of which are'horizontally movablein the elevator, and a block loading device for filling the block placement-device. 1 In applicants copending application, now Patent No.

. 2,648,218, building block laying devices are disclosed. However, it wasfound subsequently thatthe devices-of the copending application could be improved by provid ing a-releasing mechanism for the blocks through; the bottom of theblock placement device, and by providing elevator means vfor lifting the blocks in the blockplacement device in' vertical and horizontal planes to the desired pos'itionof theblocks ongt-he wall. It was also found that time and material could be,-saved by providing a cement dispenser simultaneously raised with the block placement device and then moved horizontally overcthe blocks when released fromthe. placement de- .vice for the insertion. of cement between .the.ends ofthe blocks. It was also found desirable to provide a mecha- 4 nismfor the mechanical loadingof the block placement constructed in accordance with the principlessof this invention;

Figure 2 is anend -view of the device shown in -Figure 1;

Figure '3 is a back view of the device shown in Figure 1 but with the block placement device removed; 7

Figure 4 is a sectional ,view .along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a viewalong the line, 55 of Figure 1; Figure, 6 is a top view of thecement dispenser for inserting cement. between the ends of the block when H placed on the wall in spacedlongitudinal arrangement by the'blofck ip'lacement device shownji lee Figure 7 is a front view of the cement dispenser shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

,Figure 9 is a perspective view of the block loading device for the block placement device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cover for the open I top of the cement receptacle of the cement dispenser 1 and pivotal insertion over the end of the bar .24 most proximate to the front member 12. ,is pivotally secured by the pivot pin 32 to the end memat the bottom thereof. thebottom of the front and back members is a slot 21 shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the block placement device, the cement dispenser, and the elevator.

Referring now to the building block placement device shown in Figures 1-5 and 11, reference numeral 16 indicates the building block placement device, and 11 the elevator.

The building block placement device 10 is constituted in part by the front member 12 and the back member 13 in spaced parallel arrangement. Both members flare outwardly and upwardly at the top as most clearly shown in Figure 4 to facilitate theinsertion of the building blocks by thelater described mechanical loader. At the bottom, both the front member 12 and the back member 13 are turned outwardly and thence downwardly to form the oifset portion 14 at the front and the offset portion 15 at the back. Transversely inserted between the front and back members 12, 13 are the similar'separators 16, 17,18 (Fig. 1) which form, as illustrated, four compartments for the spaced longitudinal insertion of four blocks which are illustrated in the fragmentary walls shown in Figures 6, 7 and 11. Similar end members 19,

20 are secured in a known manner at each end of the spaced parallel front and back members and'the upwardly flaring portions at the top and the offset portions In the end member 19 and at (Fig.4) aligned with a similar slot 22 in the end memberZll and which are positioned transverselyof the aforesaid front and back members and extended on the outer sides thereof into the offset portions 14, 15.

Transversely slidable in the slots 21, 22 are the bars 23, 24 which when between the front and back members 12, 13 constitute removable bottom supports for the blocks when inserted in the compartments. When the bars 23, 24 are moved outwardlyin the offset portions by the following described leverage system 25 a means for releasing the blocks through the bottom of the device is provided.

The leverage system 25 on the outer surface of each end member 19, 20 is constituted as follows: An inserted L-shaped lever 26 (Fig. 5) with power arm 27 and weight arm 28 is pivotally secured to the end member by the pivot pin 29. The free end of the power arm 27 protrudes forwardly of the front member 12. The end extremity of the weight arm 28 is notched at 30 for slidable A linear lever 31 her and has the end extremity of the weight arm 33 notched for slidable and pivotal insertion over theend of the bar 23 most proximate to the back member 13. A link 34 is pivotally connected at one end to the power arm 35 of the linear lever 31 by any suitable means 36 and at the opposite end is pivotally connected to. the bar 24. A handle 37 (Figs. 1 and 5) issecured between the forwardly protruding ends of the power arms 27 of the inserted L-shaped levers 26 in each end member and is positioned forwardly of the front member 12. It willbe noted in Figure 5 that by lifting upwardly on the handle member 37 the bars 23, 24 are moved simultaneously outwardly into the offset portions 15, 14, respectively, and that by pullingdownwardly on the handle member 37 the bars are moved inwardly between the front and back members 12, 13 to provide a removable bottom for the support of the blocks when placed in the building block placement device.

To provide reciprocable vertical movement as well as horizontal movement for the previously described block placement device is the function of the following described elevator 11.

The elevator 11 is constituted of the frame 38 and the carriages 39, 40 vertically reciprocable on the frame.

The frame 38 is constituted of the vertically spaced front tubular members 41, 42 and the vertically spaced back tubular members 43, 44 in spaced parallel arrangement with the front tubular members to form an open rectangular frame of rectangular cross section. At the bottom, the tubular members are provided with any suitable base 45. On one side of the base 45 are the rotatably mounted wheels 46, 47 (Fig. 11) and on the opposite side the similar wheels 48, 49. A track 50 is provided for the wheels in the horizontal movement of the frame along the wall. The track may be made in sections of convenient length with means (not shown) for joining the sections together. Guy wires (not shown) may also be provided for maintaining the frame upright to counterbalance the weight of the blocks and cement as later shown.

The carriages 39, 40 are similar and each is constituted of an outer plate 51 and an inner plate 52 which are held in spaced parallel arrangement by the four spaced rotors 53 (Figs. 1 and 3) which are in operable engagement with the front and back tubular members at each end of the frame. The carriages 39, 40 are interconnected by four similar and spaced bars 54 fastened in a known manner between the inner plates '52 as most clearly shown in Figures 1, 3, and 11 so that both carriages move simultaneously vertically.

For the support of and the vertical movement of the previously described building block placement device in the carriages as well as the horizontal movement of the device, another plate 55 is secured to the inner surface of each inner plate 52 and held in spaced parallel arrangement therewith by two spaced guideways 56 (Figs. 1 and 3) through which aligned openings are made for the slidable insertion of the bars 57, 58 the outer ends of which are fastened in a known manner in the end members 20, 19, respectively.

In operation:

Assume that four building blocks are inserted in spaced longitudinal arrangement in the compartments created by the separators 16--18 in the building block placement device 10 shown in Figure 1 and that the later described cement dispenser 59 in Figure 11 has been moved to the top of the elevator frame 11 while the placement device is at the bottom. Of course, the placement device can be loaded when moved horizontally forwardly of the frame 11 while the cement dispenser remains adjacent thereto. However, with the cement dispenser elevated and out of the way, by pulling downwardly on the flexible member 60 (Fig. 11) over the pulley 61 fastened to the top supports 62 and 63 of the frame 11 with the hook 64 fastened to the downwardly directed end of the flexible member 60 in engagement with another flexible member 65 fastened at opposite ends to the carriages 39, 40 the block place ment device can be elevated to the desired vertical position for depositing the building blocks on the wall, assuming that the frame 11 was originally properly placed. By pulling outwardly on the handle member 37, the bars 57, 58 supporting the device will slide through the guideways 56 of the carriages until the device is in proper horizontal position over the wall. It is assumed that a layer of cement has been placed on the tops of the blocks on which the blocks in the placement device are to be deposited. By the manipulation of the handle member 37 in the manner previously described, the bars 23, 24 supporting the blocks are moved into the offset portions 14,

elevator frame. '67 are the spaced slots 80, 81, 82 (Fig. 6) of such mag- 4 15 of the device so that the blocks will fall through the Open bottom into properly longitudinally separated position on the wall. The spaces between the blocks could be manually fitted with cement but to save time and material the following described cement dispenser 59 is provided.

The cement dispenser 59 is constituted of a tray 66 and a cement receptacle 67 slidable in the tray.

The tray 66 is constituted of a bottom member 68 along the outer edge of which are the spaced and similar openings 69, 70, 71 (Fig. 6) which are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of a block and which have a depth equal to the width of a block. The width of each slot is substantially equal to the space between the ends of the blocks. At each end of the tray are the upstanding end members 71a, 72 (Fig. 11) fastened to the bottom member 68 in any suitable manner. On the opposed inner surfaces of the end members 7111, 72 are the similar guideways 73, 74 most clearly shown in Figure 7. Depending from the guideway 74 is a depending guide 75 and from the guideway 73 another depending guide 76 which are used as an aid in the proper positioning of the dispenser over the newly deposited blocks. However, little or no weight of the dispenser need be transferred to what may be a substantially green wall since the major part of the weight is held by the elevator shaft. The tray 66 may be provided with an upstanding back member 77.

The cement receptacle 67 has a closed bottom and open top and is made slidable in the guideways 73, 74 by any suitable and similar means 78 inserted in the ends of the receptacle. A handle member 79 on the front of the receptacle is provided for moving the receptacle over the bottom of the tray and any suitable locking means (not shown) may be provided for holding the receptacle at the back of the tray when both the tray and receptacle are moved in a horizontal position outwardly from the In the closed bottom of the receptacle nitude and position that as the receptacle is moved forwardly in the tray, the slots 80, 81, 82 will be aligned over the previously mentioned openings 69, 70, 71.

The carriages 83, 84 (Fig. 11) for the vertical movement of the cement dispenser 59 in the elevator frame 11 and the bars 85, 86 for the horizontal movement of the dispenser are the same as the previously described and similar elements for the block placement device 10 and for which reason are not further described.

In operation:

The cement dispenser 59 is placed in the elevator frame 11 above the block placement device 10 as shown in Figure 11 and both may be arranged for simultaneous vertical movement by the similar hooks 87, 88 one of each of which is pivotally secured to one carriage of the cement dispenser for latching over similar keepers, one of which is shown by numeral 89, on the carriages of the block placement device 10. With the cement receptacle 67 moved to the rear of the tray 66 it is filled with cement. After the blocks have been deposited on the wall by the block placement device 10 it is pushed inwardly toward the elevator frame and the cement dispenser 59 with the cement receptacle at the back of the tray moved outwardlyover the newly deposited blocks. By pulling the cement receptacle 67 forwardly in the tray, the slots 80, 81, 82 in the bottom of the receptacle will be aligned with the openings 69, 70, 71 in the tray and cement will pour through the aligned openings between the ends of the blocks.

Because of the tendency of cement to harden quickly, a cover member 90 (Fig. 10) has been provided for removable insertion over the open top of the receptacle 67 and is held in place by screws 91 threaded into any threaded openings formed adjacent the periphery of the open top of the receptacle.' A hose line 92, leading into the closed interior of the receptacle, provides for the introduction of compressed air into the top of the recepiacle which will force the cement even though slightly stiff through the aligned ;sl o,ts and openings'jn the tray and the receptacle. A stream ,of water under pressureis used for cleaning the tray andlreceptacle.

' The block loading device93 shown in Eigure 9 is designed primarily'for the transportationof blocks to and for the insertion of the blocks in the block placement device 10. However,,.it will be apparent that'insome instances and with butslight modification in other instances the block loading-device 93 could be used for placing the blocks directly, on awall. in spaced'longitudinal arr n ement.

The block loadingdevice ,93 is ,constituted act 1 the jaw members 94, 95 pivotally secured together by any suitable means 96 and are designed for vertical suspension by the rope 95 the ends of which are fastened in a known manner at the tops of the jaw members. A hook 96 supported by a rope 97 over a pulley 98 movable in a track 99 horizontally positioned between spaced vertical supports one of which is shown at 100 maintains the jaw members upright, vertically adjustable, and horizontally movable.

The jaw members at the bottom have a suflicient span for straddling four blocks in spaced longitudinal arrangement. A cross member 101 longitudinally adjustable in the jaw members has depending therefrom the spaced separators 102, 103, 104 which are positioned apart a distance roughly equal to the length of a block. With the ends of the jaw members over the outer ends of the outermost blocks and the separators intermediate successive blocks, by pulling downwardly on the rope 97 the loader with the blocks clamped between the jaw members can be moved, for example, from a loading platform (not shown) to the situs of the block placement device 10 previously described. For example the block placement device 10 could be moved horizontally outwardly from the elevator frame and the cement dispenser pushed inwardly there against. The blocks in the loading device then can be moved substantially over the open top of the block placement device 10 and then released so that the released blocks aided by the upwardly and outwardly flaring top portions of the front and back members 12, 13 of the placement device can be readily inserted in spaced lengthwise arrangement in the compartments formed by the spaced separators 16, 17, 18.

While there are above disclosed but a limited number of the embodiments of the structure of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are stated therein. For example, cement can also be spread on the surface of the block. The loader 93 can save lifting by hand.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for the placement of building blocks on a wall, the device comprising front and back members in spaced parallel arrangement at a distance substantially equal to the width of a block, each member having an outwardly directed offset portion at the bottom and further having upwardly and outwardly flaring portions at the top, an end member disposed in each end of said front and back members and offset portions and upwardly and outwardly flaring portions, each end member having a slot formed therein below the front and back members and leading into the offset portions, a plurality of spaced transverse separators disposed intermediate the front and back members, the separators being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of a block, at least two bars transversely slidable in the slots, lever means on each end member for the reciprocable transverse movement of the bars in the slots, handle means in spaced parallel arrangement with the front member for actuating the lever means at each end simultaneously, and means for the movement of the placement device in vertical and horizontal planes.

2', Afdevice jfor'the placement of building blocks on a wall accordiug'to claim 1 in which the levermeans on each member for the reciprocable transverse movement of ,the'bars in the'slots comprises an inverted L-shaped lever pivotally'disposed on the end member adjacent the front member, the inverted L-shapecl lever having a weight arm and a power. arm, the end extremity of the weight arm beingnotched and in operable engagement with the bar most proximate to the front member, the end extremity of the power arm protrudingforwardly of the front member, a linear, lever pivotally disposed on the end member adjacent the. back member, the linear lever having a weight arm and a power arm, the end extremity of the weightarm of the linear lever'being notched and in operable engagement with the end of the bar most proximate to the back member, a link pivotally disposed intermediate the weight arm of the inverted L-shaped lever and the power arm of the linear lever, and a handle member disposed intermediate the protruding ends of the power arms of each inverted L-shaped lever in substantially spaced parallel arrangement with the front member.

3. A device for the placement of building blocks on a wall according to claim 1 in which the means for the movement of the placement device in vertical and horizontal planes comprises an elevator frame, the elevator frame comprising two substantially vertically spaced front tubular members and two substantially vertically spaced back tubular members, a base member disposed on the bottoms of the tubular members, means on the base member for the horizontal movement of the elevator frame, a carriage vertically reciprocable on the bars on each end of the frame, tie rods interconnecting the carriages, and means in each carriage for the horizontal movement of the placement device, the means comprising a slideway on the inner surface of each carriage, a bar reciprocable in each slideway, and means for securing the outer ends of the bars to the ends of the placement device.

4. A dispenser for the introduction of cement intermediate the ends of building blocks in spaced longitudinal arrangement, the dispenser comprising a tray, an upstanding end member disposed at each end of the tray, the tray having spaced transverse openings formed therein adjacent the outer edge, the openings being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of a block and having a length substantially equal to the width of a block, a guideway disposed on the opposed surfaces of each upstanding end member and parallel thereto, a cement receptacle with open top and closed bottom slidable in the guideways, the receptacle having formed in the bottom thereof spaced slots aligned with the openings in the tray when the receptacle is moved thereover, means supporting the dispenser for the vertical and horizontal movement of the dispenser, and means for applying air under pressure to the open top of the receptacle.

5. A device for the placement of building blocks in spaced longitudinal arrangement on a wall comprising a vertical frame adapted to be moved on horizontal rails and comprising a pair of vertical members at opposite ends thereof, a pair of carriages movably mounted on each pair of vertical members one above the other for vertical movement thereon, the upper pair of carriages supporting a mortar dispensing device and the lower pair of carriages supporting a block laying device, each of said devices being provided with horizontal rods movably mounted in a horizontal pair of carriages, means for raising said carriages, and means for coupling said pair of carriages for simultaneous movement.

6. A device for the placement of building blocks according to claim 5 in which plurality of spaced wheels are rotatably disposed on each side of the frame at the bottom, and a track is provided for the wheels.

7. Apparatus for the laying of building blocks to form a wall, said apparatus comprising: an open vertical elevator frame; a first carriage mounted to reciprocate in saidframe; a second carriage reciprocably mounted above said first carriage in. said frame; a mortar, dispens'er tray having spaced openings. therein carried by said second carriage; a block laying receptacle carried by said firstcarriage; means for locking said carriages together; means on said first carriage for horizontally reciprocating said receptacle; means on said second car riage for horizontally reciprocating said dispenser; and means supporting said frame for horizontal movement.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said mortar dispenser tray comprises: a tray member having transverse openings spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of a block and having a length substantially equal to the widthof a block; and a mortar container with-open top and closed bottom reciprocable in the tray, the container having slots formed in the bottom .thereof alignedrwith the slots in the tray when the container is moved thereover. I

- 9.1 Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said block laying receptacle has means for releasing the blocks through the bottom of said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,054,635 Cagnassi Feb. 25, 1913 1,858,645 7 Smoot May 17, 1932 2,648,218 Joseph Aug. 11, 1953 

